Rebecca Rowley comes home from Brighton, secretly engaged to the enemy. She is determined to change her families mind about Edward, and with the help of her new neighbor Nicholas Avery she just might do it. That is until disaster strikes and she realizes who she really wants by her side to face it.

Joanna Barker has done it again, another fabulous regency story that will have you reading long past bedtime. I loved Rebecca's spirit and the perfectly imperfect relationship she has with Nicholas, so cute!

Could not put this book down. It's been a good long while since I had such trouble taking breaks from reading a book to go to bed. I couldn't wait to see the story unfold. I adored Rebecca and her family and felt I understood them and their characters even though I have not read the other books in this series. I will definitely be reading them next. This romance was swoon worthy and clean which is a hard balance that Barker achieved perfectly. The main characters are so witty and I so enjoyed reading the dialogue between them. I did laugh out loud quite a few times. I 100% recommend for your next read but just make sure you have time to read it all in one sitting since you will probably have trouble putting it down.

Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker, 262 pages. Covenant Communications, 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Coming home secretly engaged is not ideal, but Rebecca has to figure out how to soften her family so they will accept her fiance. But that is not the only secret she keeps. When the new neighbor starts discovering those things Rebecca is hiding, he becomes a friend and confidant, only confusing further Rebecca’s heart.
Rebecca is a charming character, making enough relatable bad decisions that I wanted desperately for her to find peace and happiness. However, her intended was never far from my thoughts, and I worried constantly about how Barker would build his character in a satisfying way and, simultaneously, disentangle the mess Rebecca was getting herself into. I should not have been so concerned; Barker is a skillful writer, and I enjoyed everything about reading the story she tells of Rebecca.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Otherwise Engaged is a fabulous book! It is a clean and wholesome romance for those of us who do not like explicit content. It is also a historical fiction which is one of my favorite genres.

This is the first book I have read by Joanna Barker, but it will not be the last! She is a phenomenal writer that includes vivid descriptions of people and surroundings. I was barely into the first chapter of "Otherwise Engaged" when I noted how much I loved this author’s captivating descriptions. I could easily envision the people and places in my mind’s eye.

I also enjoy the touches of humor Barker includes throughout the book. Several times I laughed out loud at the witty repartee between characters.

All of these exceptional elements made this a thoroughly enjoyable book which I would highly recommend.

Synopsis of Otherwise Engaged
England - 1822
Rebecca Rowley has just returned home from Brighton. She has a big announcement to share with her family. One that she knows her family will not be excited to hear. Rebecca is engaged to Edward Bainbridge, whom she just met while in Brighton.

She had heard the Bainbridge name before. Their fathers had been business partners years before. The reasons for the dissolution of that partnership had always been a secret that the parents never shared with their children. Neither Rebecca nor Edward knew why they couldn't be together. They agreed to find out the secret and, together, try to get their families to leave the past in the past, forgive and forget whatever was necessary, so they could be married with the acceptance and support of both families.

Rebecca had another secret. She loved to ride her horse, Stella, but she enjoyed riding bareback. She knew her family would disapprove of her riding in such an unladylike and dangerous way. So, she would leave the estate with Stella saddled, then remove the saddle when they reached a secluded meadow. Together, they would run like the wind, free and unencumbered by restraints.

After one of their unconventional rides, Stella heard someone crying for help. She and Stella immediately responded. A child was drowning. Rebecca ran into the water and swam to the girl, whose dress was caught on an underwater tree branch. Once Rebecca freed her, she pulled her to safety on shore where they were joined by the child's very angry adult half-brother, Lieutenant Nicholas Avery. This was definitely not the best way to meet new neighbors, especially since Rebecca was soaking wet and anyone could see that her nearby horse was not wearing a saddle. This stranger now knew one of her best-kept secrets.

Rebecca soon learned that Nicholas Avery was his sister, Olivia's, guardian. Her mother had recently died and their father had died a few years before. Nicholas barely knew Olivia since she was a much younger step-sister. He had been in the navy all of her life and had only seen her a few times. He wasn't always sure how to handle Olivia. As a navy lieutenant, he knew how to make men obey his orders, but was clueless about how to deal with his little sister. Rebecca stepped in to try to help.

Over the next few weeks, Rebecca and Nicholas became friends. She confided in him and he kept her secrets, plus he enabled her to pursue activities that were otherwise not considered acceptable for a lady in society. Rebecca's mother thought Nicholas would make the perfect suitor for her, but Nicholas knew Rebecca was otherwise engaged.


Conclusion

I immediately adored the free-spirited Miss Rebecca Rowley. I applauded her desire to take on difficult tasks and live life on her own terms, not by wealthy society rules that stifled women. I was tickled by Lieutenant Nicholas Avery’s independent little sister, Olivia, who clearly had a mind of her own. I loved the witty quips of Rebecca’s family, as well as her conversations with Nicholas, and the jocular repartee they shared with each other.

There are some authors who leave me wondering how they do it. How they write so well that they capture my attention. How they describe their characters with such detail that I feel as if I know them, that they are close friends who have shared every confidence. How they weave a story that captivates me to the point of tears, laughter and even anger.

Joanna Barker has done just that, and more, in “Otherwise Engaged”. I have no doubt that I will miss Rebecca, Nicholas, and even Olivia in the upcoming weeks.

I received an advance copy of "Otherwise Engaged" to review from NetGalley. I would like to express my appreciation Netgalley, to the author, Joanna Barker, and the publisher, Covenant Communications, for this opportunity.

The review above was published on 9/18/2020 on ReviewThisReviews. It was copied and pasted here per the Netgalley request.

I loved this book. The characters and storyline immediately captured my interest and held it until the last page was turned. It is a well-written, light, easy read.

Excellent book with great characters! It had a spunky heroine and a kind and understanding hero. I loved it!

I really enjoyed this story. I liked it being told from her perspective and really getting to feel like I truly knew who she was. I really liked the relationship development shown through the book. It was a fun read. #OtherwiseEngaged #netgalley

It’s clear from page one that the spirited Miss Rowley doesn’t fit into society’s mould. But riding bareback and expertly avoiding gossiping neighbours, are nothing compared to the secret engagement she’s keeping from her family. When Rebecca saves the life a drowning girl, she captures the attention of the child’s handsome brother Lieutenant Nicholas Avery. While the two agree to friendship only, it quickly becomes clear there’s more between them. What will Rebecca do as she realizes that this secret she’s keeping could ruin not only her relationship with Nicholas but also the trust of her family? Confused over the feelings Nicholas inspires when they are together, has Rebecca promised her hand too quickly? When all is brought to light, Rebecca must decide whether she will keep the promise she made or “fight for the future she’s only just begun to imagine.”

This is the second book of Joanna Barker’s that I’ve read and I can’t wait for more! It’s a page turner, that hooks you in from the start; a friendship that weaves its way into love. I also enjoyed the very realistic sibling moments between both Rebecca/William and Nicholas/Olivia. This story will have you laughing, cheering and even wiping away a few tears.

A big thank you to Covenant Communications for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #OtherwiseEngaged #Goodreads #BookBub
** This review can be found on NetGalley, Goodreads, BookBub and Amazon.ca

LOVED this Regency romance! The characters were fun and relatable. The story was interesting and kept me wanting to read. I loved the sweet romance build up. It is a bit of a love triangle, which I know people don't typically love that trope, but since one of the members is not present for most of the book, it makes it better than normal. I loved Lt. Avery. Rebecca is kinda dumb, but what girl isn't on occasion. Good side characters and swoony kisses. Clean, Regency.

An enjoyable book to read. There was a good storyline which kept me interested. The characters were all different from the moody sister to the headstrong heroine. It was unpredictable and had a happy ending so l recommend it to be read.

A compelling read.

Rebecca is headstrong and stubborn, willful and determined. Everything, it seems, that Society does not expect in a woman.
Though, or perhaps because of her flaws, I found her eminently likeable and was rooting for her happiness throughout the story, even when I wanted to shake her to her senses.

I liked how quickly Lieutenant Avery saw through her, and how quick he was to call her out on her ridiculousness.

Though I found the plot predictable, it was refreshing to read a historical romance that doesn't follow ALL the cliches. And despite the predictability of the plot, I still found it difficult to put down!

Extremely well written, and quite touching in parts. I hope to see more of these characters, particularly Olivia.

4 1/2 stars rounded up. Rebecca Rowley has moved home to live with her mother, brother and his family after a whirlwind season in society. While horse-back riding, she stumbles upon a young girl in distress and aids in her rescue. When Lieutenant Avery comes to show his appreciation, Rebecca finds an unexpected confidant and friend. Unfortunately, she is already secretly engaged and her feelings for the LT is making things difficult for her.

With the sweetest of interactions, we fall in love with Lieutenant Avery and feel the struggle in Rebecca to decide her future. I loved this story. It was heartwarming, it was clean, it was just a perfect kind of book. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review,.

Rebecca Rowley becomes secretly engaged to Edward Bainbridge on a trip to Brighton. As Edward and Rebecca's parents are known enemies, they must keep their engagement secret. Lieutenant Avery and his half-sister Olivia have moved into the neighborhood and Rebecca first becomes acquainted with them when she saves Olivia from drowning in a lake.. Will a swoony new neighbor prevent Rebecca from being constant to Edward?

Joanna Barker really knows how to write a story that engages the reader. Her main characters were well developed, and I felt invested in their happiness. I really enjoyed Rebecca's personality; she was brave and kind. She taught herself to ride bareback and she learned how to shoot. There was romantic tension, and swoony moments and dialogue, while remaining a clean read, which is very important to me.

I knew how I wanted the story to end, but I did not know until the end whether my wish was granted. For me, it was a very enjoyable read. I loved it that she was able to provide a happy ending for everyone involved. This was a very enjoyable read that kept me reading into the night.

This book is good for someone who is looking for a sweet clean historical romance without a Christian message.
Because I normally read CF I found myself missing that aspect of a story. This book is well written, I just usually don't like it when a triangle aspect is drawn out as long as it was in this case. I felt like there was a lot of deception in the main character's motives.
But it was well paced and did draw me in.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally, all the opinions in this review are my own.

I love Joanna Barker's writing and this, her newest book does not disappoint. It took me a while to realize that the main female protagonist is the younger sister of William Rowley, one of the main protagonists from The Truth About Miss Ashbourne. I love when timelines and characters appear in multiple books of an author's and this was no different. No prior knowledge is necessary to follow this story, this can definitely be read as a stand alone.

The format of this book starts off quite different than her other stories since the main female protagonist already has found a man to become romantically involved with. Then she meets the new neighbors who've moved into the vacant estate on the neighboring property and life becomes less and less predictable by the moment. I love the development and growth in Rebecca as she discovers the difference between following what's expected of her and following her heart. Some of the themes in this story reminded me of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, a young, care free woman who uses feelings rather than societal expectations to guide her thoughts and actions (most of the time), multiple suitors, a military man, changing expectations, true love, learning to put others first.

From the first sentence, this story had my attention. "Of the many things that could be depended upon to make a young lady swoon, a love letter certainly made the list." I immediately thought of another Jane Austen novel Persuasion, and the book has my full attention. The development of the characters takes some time to fully unravel, but the growth and development of the characters, particularly the main female character, makes it abundantly worth the read. I love the way tha Joanna writes romance! Beautifully done!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book. If you are a fan of regency romance, Jane Austen, historical romance stories, I highly recommend this book. I look forward to continuing my personal quest of reading all the stories the author has published because I've thoroughly enjoyed every thing I have read of her so far!

Otherwise Engaged is a delightful book about a young lady, Rebecca who finds herself engaged to a young man from a family at odds with her own family. While she believes she is in love with Edward, they can't tell anybody about their engagement. At least not until the family is prepared to accept it. Then she meets Nicholas Avery, her new neighbor. He's a Navy man, and claims he is not interested in getting married to anybody. As he and Rebecca become better friends, will he change his mind? What will she do about Edward? Great clean story I really enjoyed!

Well, that was a bit of a complicated book to rate lol

What I most liked was the relationship between the two main characters. You could see them slowly falling for each other, and the batter between them both was quite nice to watch. Loved the interactions with the family as well, both Rebecca and her family and Nicholas and his sister, Olivia. It was quite sweet seeing them starting to understand each other, and I really felt for the little girl. It was all quite lovely done. I liked both main characters very much. They were flawed, but I quite enjoyed how they resolved their issues and started growing. That's it, until the fiancee arrived and it all went downhill.

I don't mind when the heroine has a love interest before (underline on the before), but the fact that she kept insisting that she still loved him, even while literally admitting that she loved the lieutenant bothered me a lot. The whole thing just made her kind of unfaithful to both of them. She did not think of admitting to Edward about the kiss until the second one, and I was not sold on the fact that since her fiancee was cheating as well she was automatically absolved of any guilt. The whole situation took the enjoyment off the book to the point that I actually rooted her to follow her plan of staying alone, at least for a little while (though I felt bad for Nicholas). The pace that the whole thing was resolved was really not satisfying for me.

Anyway, perhaps I am just too sensitive about the issue. I did enjoy the beginning, but the ending was just too disappointing for me. It was still a pleasant read until then, and seems like most of the people did not seem to mind it. I would still read other books from this author as I quite enjoyed her writing.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This a definite reread for me! I loved everything about this book. And that first kiss was amazing! Rebecca and Nicholas are perfect. I probably could talk about how much I loved this book all day.

This book had excellent story telling & very descriptive as if your witnessing the scenes in 1st person, I loved the opening scene of the meet cute. I thought it had a nice unique spin on & set it apart as not to make it feel formulaic. The exchanges between the H & h were well done. I just wanted the H to get his hea with the h. Adding bits of historical detail added to the story & makes it feel more real. I always appreciate Joanna Barker's attention to detail in keeping things historically accurate and keeping the romance clean. Wonderful romantic tension and anticipation. Definitely some "Aww" moments and the build up towards the end of the story was exquistly executed.

This is my first Joanna Barker story and I can definitely say, it will not be my last. I absolutely loved this story! There’s really nothing I could complain about! The main characters were wonderful, the secondary characters were well developed, and the plot was just different enough to make it fresh and new.

I loved both Rebecca and Nicholas. I normally do not like love triangles, but this one was done so well that it didn’t bother me at all! I loved how Nicholas and Rebecca’s relationship slowly developed, how they became good friends first, and their flirty banter was so much fun! And don’t getting me started on the romance! Perfection!

This is a story that will have a spot on my keeper shelf and one that I will read again! Excellent story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.